‘Gigantic Ray of Sunshine’ on the Cancer Floor

I had the good fortune to meet Christine Brooks, D.N.P., M.S.N, B.S.N., RN, OCN, nurse manager for the oncology floor, during a stay at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, New York. Christine, along with her big smile and energetic personality, stopped into my room and it was as if a gigantic ray of sunshine just made its way through the door.

I would look forward to Christine’s visits every day. We would chat, laugh and talk. I cannot put into words how much these visits meant to me. The floor nursing manager had time to stop in and speak with me every day, which was the most impressive.

Christine seemed to be on the floor very late every night. It would be 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., and Christine was still running by my door or stopping in my room. I made the comment to her that it did not seem fair they she worked five 12-hours shifts each week and was stunned when she told me that her shift ends at 4:00 p.m. Christine runs a very tight ship on the eighth floor; the patient care is second to none, but she does so with so much concern, compassion and understanding. Her daily chats made what was a very scary time for me into a fond memory.

Christine is a most impressive person but an even more impressive nurse manager. Northshore Long Island Jewish Medical Center is very lucky to have her, and there is no doubt in my mind that she should receive the 2021 Extraordinary Healer® Award for Oncology Nursing.

Editor’s Note: This is an essay submitted by Sean Roberts for the 2021 Extraordinary Healer Award. Click here to read more about CURE®’s Extraordinary Healer® Award for Oncology Nursing event on April 30, 2021.

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